If there’s a preseason watchlist that doesn’t include an Indiana, player let us know.
The Indiana football defensive trio of Aiden Fisher, Mikail Kamara and D’Angelo Ponds are all on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award. It is the second preseason player of the year list the trio finds themselves on, as they are also a part of the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list.
Fisher and Kamara are also on the Lombardi Award watch list.
Indiana joins Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Texas and Texas Tech as the seven programs with three-or-more players on the Bednarik preseason list.
The Maxwell Football Club has bestowed the Chuck Bednarik Award annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football since 1995. The award is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last “60-minute men” for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today’s top defensive players.
The Lombardi Award was established in 1970, in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. It is presented to outstanding linemen and linebackers who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. This marks the 52nd anniversary of the award which has been handed out in Houston since its inception. The 2025 award dinner will feature all finalists and take place on Dec. 10. Net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
The first-ever first-team All-America pick at linebacker in program history in 2024, Fisher is back after his 118-tackle season that ranks No. 16 on the single season charts. The first-team All-Big Ten pick last season anchored a defense that led the nation in rushing defense. Along with his 118 stops, he added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups.
A 2024 finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and semifinalist for the Bednarik Award last season, Kamara was a second-team All-America pick by The Athletic and first Indiana defensive lineman since Greg Middleton (first team) in 2007 to earn All-America status. The first-team All-Big Ten selection led the FBS in total pressures (73) and graded as the No. 4 edge rusher in the Big Ten and No. 15 in Power 4 (86.7) per Pro Football Focus a season ago.
A second-team All-America pick by six outlets in 2024, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a true sophomore. Rated the top cornerback in the Big Ten and No. 9 in Power 4 (84.2) per Pro Football Focus he picked off three passes, broke up nine more passes and ended the season with 55 tackles (35 solo).
Here’s a complete rundown of Indiana’s preseason recognition:
Curt Cignetti | Head Coach
– Bobby Dodd Preseason Coach of the Year Watch List
Pat Coogan | OL | R-Sr.
– Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
– Athlon Sports Preseason third-team All-America (LB)
– Phil Steele Preseason second-team All-America (LB)
– Sporting News Preseason first-team All-America (LB)
– Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
– Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
– Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List
Roman Hemby | RB | R-Sr.
– Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List
Makai Jackson | WR | Sr.
– Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List
Mikail Kamara | DL | R-Sr.
– Athlon Sports Preseason second-team All-America (DL)
– Phil Steele Preseason second-team All-America (DL)
– Walter Camp Preseason second-team All-America (DL)
– Lott Trophy Preseason Watch List
– Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
– Walter Camp Award Preseason Watch List
– Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
– Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List
Mark Langston | LS | Gr.+
– Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List
Fernando Mendoza | QB | R-Jr.
– Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team
– Wuerffel Tophy Preseason Watch List
– Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
– Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List
D’Angelo Ponds | DB | Jr.
– Athlon Sports Preseason second-team All-America (DB)
– Phil Steele Preseason third-team All-America (DB)
– Walter Camp Preseason first-team All-America (DB)
– Sporting News Preseason second-team All-America (DB)
– Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
– Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
– Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
Elijah Sarratt | WR | Sr.
– Athlon Sports Preseason second-team All-America (WR)
– Phil Steele Preseason second-team All-America (WR)
– Walter Camp Preseason second-team All-America (WR)
– Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
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